“Our family has reached our goal of bringing in 500 blood donations through American Red Cross blood drives in memory of CynthiaWe will continue our blood drive because giving blood is giving the gift of life,” stated Lee Snyder, CEO of Snyder Environmental, when he announced the firm’s Sept. 27 blood drive in memory of his late wife, who passed away in 2011.

The blood drive, sponsored by Snyder Environmental, 270 Industrial Boulevard, will be held on Friday (Sept. 27) from noon to 6 p.m. Blood donated at this blood drive will be used to help patients across the 100-county Greater Alleghenies Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross.

Cynthia suffered from a rare bone marrow disease known as Diamond Blackfan Anemia, requiring monthly blood transfusions for much of her life. Beginning with transfusions at only eight weeks of age, she was able to tolerate the anemia up into her mid-twenties when the effect of her anemia became much more critical.

She then began experimental drug therapy at the University of Virginia. Cynthia was treated with Cytoxan and then later treated with Imuran. These two drugs in succession pushed her anemia into remission for more than twenty years. In 2002 the drug therapy became ineffective and she again became reliant on blood transfusions. The frequency of these transfusions increased over time up to the point that Cynthia required two units of blood every three weeks.

“We thank those who have already given a total of 564 blood donations at previous local memorial blood drives and elsewhere in our country,” Snyder added.

To schedule an appointment for this blood drive or any other American Red Cross blood drive, call 1-800-RED CROSS (733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org. To participate in Cynthia’s drive, click Make a Donation on the right side of the screen, and use sponsor code SNYDER.

Most healthy individuals who are at least 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in West Virginia) and weigh a minimum of 110 pounds are eligible to donate blood. Individuals 18 years of age or younger must also meet specific height and weight requirements.

The Red Cross, Greater Alleghenies Blood Services Region, serves more than 80 hospitals and must have approximately 700 people donate blood or platelets on average each weekday to meet the needs of hospital patients.

Individuals may also follow the Red Cross on Twitter: www.twitter.com/redcrossGAR.